Happy Birthday

Today is my father-in-law's 60th Birthday!! I wanted to share a picture of one of his favorite places. Yes, this family has traveled all over the U.S., but the boys would agree there is nothing like Augusta, Georgia. This picture was taken last year at the Masters (also known as "A tradition unlike any other"). We hope you've had a wonderful day, because that is what you deserve!! Thanks for all your hard work and for the sacrifices you make for all of us. Thank you for your generous heart and for your constant love. We appreciate everything you do for us!! We love you!! Happy 60th Birthday!!

Here's to You

GRANDMA...

I have been sitting at the computer for over 20 minutes, and I keep erasing my thoughts. I do not have the words to describe this amazing woman! If you know my Grandma, you understand the dilemma I face. For 86 years, she has blessed the lives of the people around her. She has a servant heart and loves to help others. She never misses a birthday or anniversary of any of her family members and loves to send cards to celebrate these special occasions. She is a hard worker and still finds things to do: crocheting, sewing, cooking, etc. She has taught me many things in life...the importance of family, the love of God, the joy of serving others, the way to cook. However, some of my favorite memories are the times we have spent sewing and talking. Just a couple of years ago I had the joy of learning to crochet and sew from the great teacher, Grandma. She was so patient with me! God has blessed me with a talented, family oriented, God fearing woman that I like to call Grandma!! I love you Grandma!!


On Friday, we celebrated her 86th Birthday in Nashville. We had dinner at my cousin's house, and then 16 (Grandma, Mom, Dad, Dewayne, Jane, Randy, Robbie, Elsie, Paul, Aimee, Lucy, Sophie, Luke, Laura, Craig, and I) of us went to the Grand Ole Opry. It was so much fun!! Grandma you are so special, and I love you so much!! Hope you have a great birthday!!

"A woman of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies."
Proverbs 31: 10

Prayer Request

This weekend we were in Nashville celebrating Grandma's 86th Birthday and my father-in-law's 60th birthday (more posts on those events to come). This morning we worshiped at Brentwood Hills Church of Christ with Craig's parents, Charlie, Ashley, and Gentry. As I read through the bulletin, I noticed an upcoming 5k for the Walker family. After church, I asked Craig if he knew the family or what was going on. He did not. At lunch, the family was mentioned again, so I asked Ashley for more details. She had told me about a woman at their church (whose brother Craig and I knew at Lipscomb) who delivered her daughter stillborn two weeks before her due date. A couple of weeks later, this same woman was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. WOW! Ashley told me about Sara's caring bridge site and how powerful her testimony has been. I stumbled upon the site tonight and have been reading all of her entries. God is an amazing Father, and HE is working through Sara. PLEASE read her story and pray for this family. I would encourage you to go back to her very first entry and read all of her thoughts in order. May God continue to use Sara to touch the lives of so many!! May we choose to wake up each day and savor all of the moments God gives us each day!!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sarawalker

Vacation

Well, we just returned from a week at the beach, and I must say I'm ready to go back. After having temperatures in the upper 70s and lots of sunshine, I do not like the winter weather that greeted me. Craig was able to get off last week during my Spring Break, so we left for Destin on Friday as soon as school was out. We arrived a little after midnight, and we spent the entire week relaxing! Like I said, the weather was perfect, and the beach wasn't too crowded, which made me happy. I loved sitting in my beach chair with a good book on the beautiful days we had!! We spent our days at the beach, and our evenings at our favorite restaurants. It was so nice to stay up late, sleep in, and not have anything to do. Although it was hard to leave, we look forward to going back this summer!!

Paint Me a Birmingham

We spent a wonderful weekend in Birmingham with our amazing Memphis family. God truly blessed our lives with the Bootons, Clendenins, Lokeys, and Parnells. Without a doubt, our experiences in Memphis would have been completely different without these friends. They truly love at all times! It's hard to believe that in the past three months we have ALL been able to get together on two separate weekends. Well, here is a recap of the weekend using Tracy Lawrence's "Paint Me a Birmingham." It's always fun to hang out with these special friends.

Well, could you paint me a Birmingham?

Just the way the Lokeys and Bootons planned.


Put all these wonderful people in town.


Fun and games all the way around.


Put the dogs in the backyard please.


Lots of food, no one would disagree.


For a while, it's like living in Memphis again.
Thank you for the weekend in Birmingham!!